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Zenith Aircraft Update: Build It. Fly It!

Watch the video as Zenith Aircraft's Sebastien Heintz and Roger Dubbert go flying in the popular Zenith STOL CH 750 Super Duty to discuss the latest news and updates from Zenith Aircraft, including details about their upcoming trip to Lakeland, Florida early next month for a hands-on workshop class and Zenith fly-in gatherings (more below), followed by a short discussion about last week's announcement from Van's aircraft. "We certainly hope that they have a quick recovery... with the issues that they're working through."

Zenith Aircraft Company is returning to central Florida in early December to host its popular hands-on kit aircraft building workshop class. The workshop will be held December 1 & 2, 2023, on the Sun ’n Fun Expo campus (home of the annual Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo each year in April). Registration for the workshop class in now open. Space is limited so register early to secure your space.

The Florida workshop class will start on Friday morning, December 1st. As reported by Kitplanes.com, "Zenith Aircraft’s hands-on workshops are primarily for first-time kit airplane builders and have become popular with sport aviation enthusiasts who are considering to build their own kit airplane and who want to learn more about the required skills, tools, workspace, and more. As part of the workshop each participant builds and assembles their own Zenith aircraft rudder tail section from a standard Zenith kit."

Holding a Zenith workshop class in December in central Florida (at the Sun 'n Fun Expo campus, located between Tampa and Orlando) is the “perfect time and place” to bring the Zenith workshops back to Florida this year, according to Sebastien Heintz, Zenith Aircraft’s president.

In the process of building the rudder assembly, participants tackle many activities including reading the drawings (blueprints) and working with assembly instructions (manuals) under the expert guidance of experienced staff. They learn the procedures for putting together an aircraft assembly, including drilling and riveting. In the end, they have an assembled rudder that is ready to install on a Zenith kit airplane.

“The rest of the kit is constructed the same way as the rudder, using the same tools,” said Heintz. “People get far more out of the workshop than just a finished aircraft rudder: they go home with the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to build their own airplane. Most importantly, they learn that kit building is enjoyable and something that can engage the whole family. With modern technology and good instructions, aircraft construction has become much easier than most people think, and our workshop classes are good examples of this: most participants now complete the rudder kits during the first day.”

The hands-on workshop is an excellent way to learn about building your own kit aircraft and about the many advantages of owning and flying an airplane that you’ve built yourself. For many, building an aircraft (from a kit) is a very rewarding experience, and today’s modern kits make it easier and quicker to build than ever before.

Standard workshop fees are just $375.00 (or $425 for the CH 750 Super Duty model) and include the complete rudder kit for a Zenith aircraft. Additional helpers (spouse or other family members) are encouraged to attend and can participate for free. To learn more about the Florida workshop call Zenith Aircraft directly: 573-581-9000 (Mon – Fri, 8 – 5 Central). Prior registration is required for the rudder workshop class and class size is limited.

On Saturday, December 2nd, there will be an informal regional Zenith fly-in gathering on the Sun 'n Fun campus. Representatives from several engine companies are expected to participate to share information and details about engines installations in Zenith kit airplanes.

All Zeniths are invited to fly in for the day’s activities, and Zenith enthusiasts and current builders are invited to drive in or fly in to attend. We'll provide more details of the Zenith fly-in gathering as we near the event date, check the Zenith Facebook page or Zenith.aero.

Visitors will be able to view Zenith projects in various stages of completion at the Buehler hangar, as well as the completed "Spirit of Lakeland" Zenith CH 750 Cruzer aircraft, equipped with hand controls and the un-panel.

Fly It Forward!

The Sun 'n Fun Expo campus is already home to the "Spirit of Lakeland" light sport aircraft, a student-built Zenith CH 750 Cruzer powered by a 100-hp Continental O-200 engine and equipped with custom hand controls so that it can be flown by pilots with disabilities.

Earlier this year, Sun 'n Fun's Aerospace Center for Excellence (ACE) started assembly of a second Zenith CH 750 Cruzer kit project, called the "Fly It Forward" Zenith, with youth starting the assembly of the kit at the Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo in April 2023. Zenith Aircraft Company is a proud sponsor of the "Fly It Forward" youth build project, motivating young people with learning opportunities and fostering excitement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through aviation.

The Aerospace Center for Excellence (ACE), the parent organization of SUN 'n FUN airshow and expo, holds popular summer camps to inspire youth from around the world with hands-on learning opportunities in aviation.

Zenith Aircraft is a proud sponsor of the camps with its aluminum 3-hole binder kit assembly projects, allowing youth to gain valuable skills and experience. The popular "She Can Fly" Summer Camp (below) introduced girls to the world of aviation.

Zenith Aircraft Company will be traveling to Florida from Missouri in the Zenith cargo van for the early December workshop event, allowing for kit and parts deliveries to builders along the way. Let us know if we can deliver a kit or component kit to you on the way to Florida! (Space is strictly limited.) Check out the video from the last "Florida Road Trip" with kit deliveries along the way.

Zenith Aircraft will also host one of its regular workshop classes at the kit aircraft factory in the new year, on January 25 & 26, 2024, in Mexico, Missouri. The workshop experience at the Zenith factory also includes a factory tour and demo flight, with participants "graduating" from the workshop upon completing construction of their own aircraft rudder tail section for one of Zenith Aircraft Company's popular kit aircraft designs, including the high-wing Zenith CH 750 series or the sleek low-wing Zenith CH 650 cruiser.

Spend a couple of days at the Zenith Aircraft factory and meet with fellow aviation enthusiasts - all while gaining valuable building skills and tips. And don't forget: A demo flight in the Zenith airplane you plan to build is part of the factory workshop experience! Plan now to join us at an upcoming workshop class!

Due to popular demand and thanks to wonderful hospitality from the Texas Zenith builders and flyers community, Zenith Aircraft will be returning to Texas in February 2024 to host its popular workshop class, combined with an informal regional Zenith fly-in and builder gathering. The workshop will begin on February 23rd inside a private hangar at Boerne Stage Airfield (5C1) north of San Antonio, with the fly-in gathering on Saturday, February 24th. Zenith Aircraft's Sebastien Heintz and Roger Dubbert plan to attend the Texas workshop, and all Zenith builders, pilots, and enthusiasts are invited to visit and participate at the Saturday Zenith fly-in gathering at Boerne Stage Airfield. Save the date and check out the Facebook event page for details and updates.

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